Chart 1: Kirk ancestors in the Magnusson-Lawsing family Ancestor Generation No. 13 Dr. Robert Church b England To Scotland, 1556 Physician, British army 12 Thomas Kirk Scotland 11 Alphonsus Kirk Scotland 10 Roger Kirk c.1644 Elizabeth 1631, Scotland to England 1658, England to Ireland Armagh Co., N. Ireland Cooper, Quaker 9 Alphonsus Kirk 1692 Abigail Sharpley b 5mo 14, 1659 Armagh Co., Ireland dau. Adam & Mary Sharpley d aged 77+ years Christiana Hund. d 1748 New Castle Co., Delaware To America, 1688 Farmer, Quaker 8 Daniel Brown 1717 Elizabeth Kirk Son of James & Honour (Clayton) Brown b 4mo 23, 1695 New Castle Co., Del. (See Brown) 218
e The Genealogy of Alphonsus and Abigail (Sharpley) Kirk is the source for the following account of the forebears of Elizabeth Kirk, whose marriage to Daniel Brown in 1717 joined her ancestors to the Magnusson-Lawsing family tree. This Kirk Genealogy, a typescript at the Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA, apparently was compiled by S. B. K. Of Dr. Robert Church, 13 Thomas Kirk 12 and Alphonsus Kirk, 11 the three earliest identified Kirk ancestors (see Chart 1), little is known. Apparently quoting from Blackburn records, the Kirk Genealogy reported (p. 2): The students of Kirk ancestry have endeavored from time to time to trace the history of the name beyond that of Roger Kirk, father of Alphonsus, but all such investigations converge toward a traditionary account which, so far as we know, is unsupported by historical facts, and whilst evidence is wanting to confirm the account as authentic, we find nothing of a doubtful character in it, nor has anyone attempted to disprove the story as it has come down to us through the cycles of time. We therefore submit it to the reader for whatever value it may prove and trust to the development of future years to reveal whatever it contains of historic truth. Doctor Robert Church, a native of England, soon after his marriage, went as a physician to the English army, was engaged in the Scottish war of 1556, after which he settled in Scotland where his name was soon translated to Kirk which is the name of a church in the Scottish dialect or language. He had a son Thomas, who had a son Alphonsus, who had sons Robert, Roger and Timothy; which three brothers all returned to England in 1631, and it does not appear that the name was ever translated again into English. Roger Kirk 10 Roger Kirk, 10 said to have left Scotland for England in 1631, left England for Ireland in 1658. By then, Roger had married Elizabeth, and they had five children. Their oldest child was born in 1645; so, probably, Roger and Elizabeth were married by 1644. Roger and Elizabeth were Quakers, and Quaker records are the principal sources of information about them and their family. In the records of the Lurgan Meeting, Armagh County, North Ireland, it was reported (KG, p. 3): Roger Kirk and Elizabeth his wife dwelt in Neshag in ye parish of Skelton and in ye County of York, Came to Ireland with his wife and five children in ye yeare 1658 (being a Couper by traide) since which time he hath dwelt at Tolly gally nere Lurgan in ye County of Ardmagh and had by his wife Children as followeth. 219
Children of Roger and Elizabeth Kirk Kirk 9 The first five of the eight children in this family were born in England, and the last three were born in Ireland. All were birthright Quakers. 1. Christian (daughter) b 10mo 21, 1645. 2. Deborah, b 3mo 27, 1650; m Francis HILLARY 7mo 8, 1682. 3. Timothy, b 3mo 27, 1652; m Catharine Robson of Parish of Sego, County of Ardmagh, 3mo 17, 1676. They had nine children. (1) Deborah, b 7mo 5, 1677. (2) Samuel, b 10mo 15. 1678; m 4mo 24, 1702 Mary Johnson at Lurgan. They came to America and were certified, 12mo 6, 1719, to the Newark Meeting. Samuel built the first mill on the Brandywine, and he was a Justice of the Peace 8-5-1726. (3) Jacob, b 10mo 30, 1680, d 1743; m 7mo 30, 1716 Rebecca Robison at Hillsborough Meeting in Ireland. They came to Pennsylvania in 1729 and settled in Lancaster Co. (4) Sarah, b 8mo 9, 1682. (5) Joseph. b 1mo 23, 1685. (6) Roger, b 31st day 2nd mo 1686, d 3mo 28, 1761. He came to America c.1712 & m Elizabeth Richards of New Garden, Chester Co., PA. They settled in Nottingham. (7) John b 10mo 31, 1687. (8) Ruth, b 7mo 29, 1690. (9) Jane, b 7mo 18, 1692. 4. Roger, b 2mo 20, 1654. 5. Dinah, b 10mo 14, 1656. + 6. Alphonsus, b 5mo 14 1659, left Ireland for America in 1688. Alphonsus, the Kirk of particular interest in this account, is more fully reported below. 7. Robert, b 1mo 28, 1662. 8. Elizabeth, b 4mo 12, 1664. The Kirk Genealogy reported (p. 2) that the Kirk family had the tradition, in common with nearly everybody else, of having descended from three brothers who came to this country years and years ago. According to tradition, the three ancestral brothers were Alphonsus, Jacob and Roger. Actually, three Kirk brothers Samuel, Jacob and Roger came to America in the early 1700s. The first of the family to come to America, however, was their uncle Alphonsus. 220
Alphonsus Kirk 9 (1659-1682) Alphonsus Kirk 9 was born 5mo 14, 1659 at Tolly gally, near Lurgan, Armagh County, North Ireland. He left Ireland for America in 1688; and, in America, he settled in Christiana Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. He married, 12-23-1692, Abigail Sharpley, daughter of Adam and Mary Sharpley, who died 1748. Adam and Mary Sharpley immigrated from Ireland and settled on the east side of the Brandywine Creek along Shelpot Creek in New Castle, DE. They were Quakers and active in the affairs of the Newark Meeting. Adam, who died 9-27-1694, was buried in Friends burying ground at Newark Meeting. Alphonsus was 29 years old when he left Ireland. He took passage from Belfast 11mo 11, 1688 and landed at Jamestown, Virginia, 1mo 12, 1689. He then went to New Castle, DE, where he arrived 3mo 29, 1689. At that time, New Castle County was in Pennsylvania. Alphonsus took with him a paper from the Lurgan Meeting which certified that he was a good Quaker and free to marry. Appended to his Quaker credential was a note from his parents which gave, in advance, their consent to his marriage with a Quaker. These two documents read (KG, p. 4): Whereas the bearer hereof, Alphonsus Kirk, having an intention to transport himself into the Province of Pennsilvania in Amirica Att the request of sd Alphonsus wee think it our Duty thus to Certifie Concerning him that he hath Lived with his Father from his Infancy until now and for aught we know hath been subject and Obsequous to his parents and Since his convincement to hath belonged to our Meeting and hath behaved himself Quiet and honest in his Deportment and Dealings heer and for anything we know or Doe Now understand we having made Enquire Concerning him and as he saith of himselfe he is free and clear from all women here on the account of or Concerning Marriage or anything relateing there unto wee leave him and advise him to the measure of Grace of God in his own hart to which if he Doe submitt it will teach him to Deny all ungodlyness. From Our Meeting att John Robsons ye 9th day of ye 10 month 1688. Robert Hoope Timothy Kirk William Crook James Webb John Robson John Hoope John Webb Wm. Williams Wm. Porter Robert Kirk Mark Wright Jacob Robson Thomas Wainwright Thomas Walker This is to Certify that we are willing our son above named should take this Journey herein mentioned, desiring the Lord to be his preserver and leave him to the disposal of the Almighty and if it be his fortune to marry, we Doe give our Consent Provided it be with a friend in unity with friends according to the order of truth. Roger Kirk Elizabeth Kirk Alphonsus became a member of the Newark Meeting (after 1760, known as the Kennett Monthly Meeting), where the Sharpleys were also members. By the middle of 1692, a little more than three years after he had come to New Castle, Alphonsus and Abigail Sharpley decided to marry. Their decision was reflected in records of the Newark Meeting which detail how a proper Quaker marriage came about in those times (KG, pp. 4,5): 1692 6mo 5th The m m held at Morgan Druets, Alphonsus Kirk and Abigail Sharpley presented their intention of marriage to the meeting. 221
William Lester and Nathaniel Cartmell is ordered to make enquiry concerning ye clearness of ye man and Cassandra Druet and Ann Hollingsworth to make enquiry concerning ye clearness of ye woman to give report to ye next monthly meeting. 1692 7mo 3rd The m m held at Valentine Hollingsworths, Alphonsus Kirk and Abigail Sharpley making their appearance before the meeting in order to their marriage this being ye second time William Lester and Nathaniel Cartmell Cassandra Druet and Ann Hollingsworth makes report that they have enquired about ym & cannot find but yt all is clear, wherefore, ye meeting leaves them to their liberty to take one another according to ye good order of truth. 1692 12mo 23 (Marriage Records) Aliphonsus Kirk of Brandiwin Creek and Abigail Sharpley of Shilpots Creek Boathe in ye County of Newcastle At a solemn assembly being met together on the 23rd day of ye 12th month 1692/3 being the fifth day of the week. Did-then and there take Each other by the hand as Husband and wife Spakeing these following words to wit the s d Alphonsus Kirk said ffriends in the presents of ye Lord and you his people I take this woman Abigail Sharpley to be my wife and do give myselfe to her to be her husband promising to be a ffaith ful Husband unto her tell Death us do separate And then the s d Abigail Sharpley said ffriends in the presents of the Lord and in the presents of you here assembled togather I take this man Alphonsus Kirk to be my Husband & do give myself to him to be his Wife promising to be faithfull & Loveing wife till by death we are separated. This certificate was signed by the contracting parties, her parents Adam and Mary Sharpley and twenty-three of their friends. Alphonsus and Abigail settled on land in Christiana Hundred, New Castle County, DE, near the present Centreville, or northwest of Wilmington almost on the present PA/DE border. In colonial times, New Castle was one of three Lower Counties of Pennsylvania which, in 1776, became the state of Delaware. Around 1710 a new Centre Meeting was established for the convenience of Newark Meeting members who lived beyond the Brandywine. The Centre meeting house was built on land purchased (at 7s 6d per acre) from Alphonsus probably land that was part of his farm. The first Centre meeting house was built of logs and measured 20 x 40 feet. It was replaced, around 1795, by the present brick building. Minutes of the Newark and Centre Meetings (see KG, p. 6) show that Alphonsus was active in Quaker affairs. The Centre Meeting appointed him, 2-3-1708, with George Harlan, Samuel Gregg and Thomas Hollingsworth, to agree in order to build a meeting house 20 x 40; and the Newark Meeting appointed him, 9mo 3, 1711, with George Harlan, Thos. Hollingsworth and Saml Graves, to oversee the building of the Centre meeting house. Before then, these records reflected Alphonsus doing his part to maintain good Quaker order: he was appointed to speak to John Brewster about his misdemeanor of marriage contrary to truth (12-2-1694); to make inquiry regarding intention of marriage by John Hollingsworth and a young woman of Salem Meeting (1-2-1705); to draw up papers of judgment concerning Samuel Hall and acquaint him with it (6-10-1706); and to take Robert Barclay s Apology (3-7-1709). Alphonsus, with Samuel Grave(s), was appointed overseer of the Newark Meeting, 7-7-1713. Alphonsus and his son Adam signed a petition to George II, King of England, at Friends Concord Meeting, 3-12-1735, urging the settlement of boundaries between Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. Alphonsus and son Adam also signed a petition to Thomas Penn Esquire of the Propriety regarding Willing Town which had 33 houses in 1736 to Erect the same into a town or borough. Most of the signers were farmers desiring a market. The Petition was granted and the name of the town was changed to Wilmington. The Kirk Genealogy did not report a date for the petition which created Wilmington; but, evidently, it was around 1736. 222
The Kirk Genealogy reported several references to land acquisitions that involved Alphonsus, of which two seem of particular interest. In Minute Book I of the Proprietors, it was recorded, 1725 9br 24: Alphonsus Kirk requests the grant of 1000 acres of land between the lower settlements of the Dutch and Nottingham for settlement of his sons. And in the Letter Book, 1715-1732, of James Steel, manager of the Land Office in Philadelphia, it was recorded: The bearer Alphonsus Kirk being desirous of having a piece of land at or near French Creek for settlement of one or two of his sons. He is considered as an old Honest settler of the country and therefore if he can be accomodated in that place I desire that thee do it. (Sons William and Timothy settled at East Nantmeal in that area.) Timothy Kirks Settlement adjoined land surveyed to Simeon Woodrow, 1737, in East Nantmeal Township (see Woodrow, p. 11). The Kirk Genealogy did not report when or where Alphonsus died. He lived, at least, until 3-12-1735, when he signed the boundary settlement petition at the age of around 77. Presumably he died at New Castle. Abigail died in 1748, probably as a widow. Son Adam lived on the old farm; and, it could be supposed, Abigail may have been part of Adam s household there when she died. Children of Alphonsus and Abigail (Sharpley) Kirk Kirk 8 Alphonsus and Abigail had 11 children, of whom seven survived to maturity. All were birthright Quakers, born at New Castle, DE. The following summary reports of these children were taken from page 8 of the Kirk Genealogy, which contains more information about their families. 1. Roger born 1mo 21, 1694, New Castle County, Delaware, died 1mo 19, 1762; married 12mo 9, 1726, at Nottingham, Jean Bowen, daughter of Henry Bowen of Cecil Co., MD. Jean died 7mo 28, 1752. Thirteen children. + 2. Elizabeth born 4mo 23, 1695, New Castle Co., DE, married at Newark or Kennett Meeting in 1717 Daniel BROWN, son of James and Honour Clayton Brown. Elizabeth and Daniel were members of the Nottingham Meeting. Seven children. More about Elizabeth, the Kirk ancestor of particular interest in the Magnusson-Lawsing family in this generation, is reported in the BROWN account. 3. Jonathan born 11mo 15, 1697, died 9mo 1, 1735; married 8mo 16, 1720 Mary Anderson at Old Swedes Church, having previously baptized there. Six children. 4. Mary born 8mo 31, 1698, died 9mo 1, 1699. 5. Deborah born 11mo 1699, died 7mo 23, 1704. 6. Abigail born 7mo 1701, died 7mo 29, 1704. 223
7. Timothy born 3mo 6, 1704, died 8mo 19, 1704. 8. Alphonsus born 8mo 2, 1705, died 1mo 1, 1730/31; married 3mo 14,1730 Mary Nichols. Mary married (2nd) 8mo 11, 1734, Thomas Hayes. Alphonsus & Mary had one child, Hannah, born 12mo 1730, who married 8mo 11, 1749 John HAYES, son of William Hayes of East Marl-borough. Thomas Hayes, Mary s 2nd husband, was a brother of William Hayes, Hannah s father-in-law Thomas and William were the sons of Henry and Rachel Hayes. 9. Adam born 3mo 1, 1707, died 10mo 8, 1774; married at Kennett Meeting 9mo 14, 1744 Phoebe Mendenhall, daughter of Moses and Alice Mendenhall. They lived on the old farm. Ten children. Phoebe married (2nd) 4mo 23, 1778 Joseph Pennock. 10. William born 1mo 4, 1709, died 3mo 2, 1787; married (1st) at Centre Meeting 6mo 8, 1733 Mary Buckingham, daughter of John & Hannah Buckingham of Birmingham, Chester Co., PA., who died 3mo 10, 1753. Ten children. William married (2nd) 3mo 27, 1754 Sibilla Williams, daughter of John & Elizabeth Davis and widow of Edward Williams of Pikeland, who was born 1mo 1, 1726. Nine children. William was a successful farmer and weaver. 11. Timothy (2nd of this name) born 5mo 1, 1711, died 5mo 2, 1786; married at Goshen Meeting 3mo 2, 1.734 Sarah Williams, daughter of Robert & Gwen Cadwalader Williams, born 1714 and died 3mo 21, 1796. Twelve children. 224